Accused of Hate, Chick-fil-A Shows Love to Orlando Victims
An Orlando Chick-fil-A opened its doors on Sunday to serve chicken sandwiches and sweet tea to those who gave blood for the victims of the mass shooting.
The Orlando terror attack this weekend shook the nation. Fast food enterprise Chick-fil-A stepped in the best way if could-by donating free food and beverages to those committed to providing relief to the victims.
According to the DC Gazette, Chick-fil- A restaurants in Orlando delivered hundreds of chicken sandwiches and dozens of gallons of tea to the One Blood donation center. Anyone who was donating their blood received a warm Chick-fil-A meal free of charge.
"A few members of our awesome team decided to go into work on a Sunday and make some food for people waiting in line to donate blood," the store said in a statement. "We love our city and love the people in our community. #prayfororlando."
But the charity did not stop there.
Chick-fil-A also partnered with another Orlando franchise to provide free chicken biscuits and orange juice to the first responders and police offers at the crime scene.
The Christian owners of the fast food chain have been publicly criticized for their belief that marriage should be between one man and one woman. Just last month New York City Mayor BIll de Blasio urged people to stop eating at Chick-fil-A because of its owner's biblical views. But despite being labeled as bigoted, Chick-fil-A stepped in provide relief in the face of tragedy.
"But, wait, those people were waiting to give blood to victims that were mostly gay people," wrote Vianna Vaughan at the DC Gazette. "Doesn't Chick Fil A hate gays? That's what we kept being told."
"Turns out, that while the founders definitely don't approve of that choice of lifestyle, they believe in compassion," she wrote. "A bunch of people claiming to be Christians care about others even when they don't agree with them."
Chick-fil-A's actions raise more questions about how Christians can reach out to the LGBT community.
CBN reporter Heather Sells recently spoke with New Life Providence Pastor Dan Backens. Pastor Dan weighed in on how the church can step up during tragedy.
"This is our opportunity to dispel the narrative that the church is intolerant," he said. "We are more than tolerant. We are actually on the cutting edge of bringing healing to those who are suffering."
Jesus taught the greatest commandment is to love God and love people. The Bible also teaches Christians to hate all sin. This can seem contradictory. To learn more about how they work together and can be lived out watch our special Homosexuality: A Christian View.
